#NoSugarcoating by Shreya

#NoSugarcoating by Shreya - April 2018 Scholarship Essay

Education is like that mean old man next door who is always complaining about everything. He’s always blabbing about the economy being poor, how the earth is rotting, or how the people on his street are just too darn noisy! But, he’s got legitimate ways to solve these problems; the only obstacle he has is that no one likes him, so no one is willing to listen to him. But he wasn’t always like this. When he was just a young boy, he was enjoyable, funny, and easy to talk to. He was there for you when times were tough. Everyone loved him. Once he hit his forties and fifties, his grump was starting to show. People began to disfavor him, making it safe to say that they were starting to hate him. But, there were still a few sticklers who wanted to continue their friendship with him. As the man got older, the grumpier and tougher he became. He started criticizing everything that people thought, and that did not make them happy. Many began to cut him off and left him in isolation, even though he was rich in thoughts and explanations. The problems of the world began to show and the old man was not having it. One day, he went out to his streets and exclaimed he might have all the answers, he just needed someone to believe in him and work with him. But who wants to work with an old grouch who seems to always challenge the people's ideas? There were few willing to go to him either because their parents forced them to be kind to him to get his money, or because they genuinely cared for him and wanted to understand him. So, he set up a workshop in his house and invited the people in. Many were rude as they came, smashing his furniture and calling him explicit names. There were a select few who were kind and passionate towards him. They listened to him and attempted to understand the best they could. After many years, a majority of the people had stolen his money and left, leaving him with barley anyone believing in him. At this point, the old man was nearing the end of his life. He decided to have a heart-to-heart chat with the few remaining.

“Thank you for trusting me and having faith in me. I know I’m not the best or most easiest person to deal with but the fact that you have had the mental and physical capacity to stay, says a lot about your true character. You didn’t stay because your parents made you and you certainly did not stay for my money. You all were kind and warm hearted towards me when others turned their backs. For that, I will leave all my money for you all to continue my legacy. I want to leave with one message: no sugarcoating anything. Life’s problems are too real for that.” And with that, he was gone.

The moral of this story strived to show how education seems easy and fun in the beginning because but as you get older, it becomes more difficult and more demanding. There are many who are forced into it, but don’t receive any benefit from it and there are the few people who will devote their lives for education. With an exceeding amount of education, many would be able to solve many of life’s problems; sadly, there’s few who are willing to. Being able to stay devoted to education means being true to yourself and #NoSugarcoating anything.